FORMER England captain Tony Greig has been hailed for his skills as a player, captain, commentator and cricketing revolutionary after his death at the age of 66.

FORMER England captain Tony Greig has been hailed for his skills as a player, captain, commentator and cricketing revolutionary after his death at the age of 66.

Greig suffered a heart attack at his Sydney home in the early hours of yesterday, having battled lung cancer.

As a player, Greig was renowned as a tenacious all-rounder and captained England in 14 of his 58 Tests, while in latter years he became known for his enthusiasm and provocative style in the commentary box, in both England and Australia.

Born in Queenstown, South Africa, he qualified for England through his Scottish father. He captained Sussex and England, before his controversial leading role in Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket saw his playing career at the highest level wind down.

The Packer controversy was one of a series of flashpoints in Greig’s colourful career – another saw him castigated for his promise to make the West Indians “grovel” – but has more recently been re-evaluated as a bump in the road to the handsomely paid professionalism now enjoyed by players all over the world.

Although divisive at times in his playing days, Greig’s passing united the cricketing world in tribute.

England legend Sir Ian Botham, said: “He was my first ever captain for England. I’m very sad and very emotional. He was flamboyant and extroverted, faster than light and he made things happen. He was an amazing guy and so full of energy.

“He changed cricket for everyone as we know it now. The game suddenly leapt forward and players started to be paid more substantial amounts.

“He revolutionised the game and it had to be done. The players of today have a lot to be thankful for in Tony and Kerry Packer.”

Former team-mate Bob Willis was a dissenter against WSC in its formative stages, but admitted Greig’s decision to back the project ultimately benefited the sport.

“It was a torrid time back in 1977. People took very entrenched positions and it wasn’t very pleasant being a Packer player in county cricket.

“But I think some of us realised our mistakes in taking up those positions and we knew that we would be much stronger for World Series Cricket.

“He had a tremendous effect on my career. He persuaded me to get really fit with long-distance running and that totally revolutionised my career.

“I never had another injury and went on to take over 300 Test wickets. It’s a very, very sad day for cricket. Sixty-six is no sort of innings.”

Nasser Hussain, who skippered England between 1999 and 2003, said: “He was the sort of guy that didn’t take a backward step against anybody.

“He was a dramatic sort of guy with the blond locks and his collar up. He took on cricketers and oppositions.

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